The Mantra for 2013: Simplify

At the start of each new year, I find that a theme for my life and business organically emerges with some conscious intention. It becomes a guiding force for the year as I make decisions both big and small. It’s amazing the power this can have on your world. Last year’s Shed – Sift – Savor trifecta turned my world around. In fact I have chosen to keep that theme embedded in this year’s choice to simplify.

So what does it meant to simplify? Frankly, I know at least a few close friends and family that would laugh at the idea that I am simplifying because they consider me “complex” or “difficult”. They would say, “How could juicing, eating organic, or cooking from scratch simplify your life?” Or “How does launching a new product, traveling to a conference, or offering a new service make things simpler?”

It actually does because my choices stem from the fact that I am very clear and intentional about what I desire and the choices I make. Sometimes these choices require a bit more effort than status quo. Yet, it serves me because I yearn to get to the root of the experience and the very fundamental nature of why I’m on the planet, why I’m in business, what I most want to experience, and how I most want to feel. It’s not “right” or “wrong”, it just IS. I believe you get to choose what you most desire as well, whatever that might look like.

There’s a lot of insight to be found in the definition of the words we toss around so freely.

Let’s look at the definition of simplify:

To make less complex or complicated; make plainer or easier: to simplify a problem.

I would add that my desire to simplify stems from a desire to be radical (but not in the way you might think!). You see I consider simplifying a radical act:

Relating to or affecting the fundamental nature of something; far-reaching or thorough.

My desire is to get to the core of the things that matter. That pure state where the complex gets simple and the focus is on the true nature of things. From this Zen-like intention, I find life and business gets a lot easier. The struggle melts away (or at least dissipates more quickly!). Desired outcomes manifest more naturally. Enjoying the journey becomes a natural byproduct.

So what does all this mean in terms of day-to-day life in business?

What this looks like from an inner awareness perspective

Simplicity starts from within. You need to give yourself permission for things to have a sense of ease, flow, and “right” nature about them. This ends the suffering (in fact the Buddhists spell this out in the Noble Eightfold Path). Regardless of your beliefs, my bet is that you can already notice how much closer you are to your true nature when you allow yourself to be authentic, cut yourself a break, and reduce inevitable complexities into their own little baby steps.

This isn’t rocket science but it is a radical shift in the way most of us go about living and operating in our businesses.

Are you willing to rest in and honor simplicity (even when it feels uncomfortable and you just want to fill in that space)?

Will you allow it to be safe to be more Zen-like in how you operate in your business?

Can you trust that by making choices from a place of simplicity, trust, kindness, and compassion that your desired outcomes will flow?

What this means in terms of practical action:

The mindset shift means nothing unless it is grounded in practical action. Let’s look at some very solid steps you can take to move your business to a more radical, powerful, and simplified state.

Free up space in your calendar and honor the boundaries you actually say you want.

Leverage technology. Whether you want to go paperless or enhance productivity, today’s technology offers you untold opportunities to do this.

Eliminate drama, unnecessary activities, and remember that less can be more.

Drop the activities that don’t bring you one or more of the following: tangible business results or untold amounts of deep satisfaction.

Be fully present right here, right now.

Like you, I still only have 24 hours in each day. Yet from a place of simplicity time feels like it expands, getting the most important things done actually happens, and tangible results flow. I relish in the space to breathe and the peace it brings to my business activities and everything I do.

Need help simplifying in your business? Want to take one or more of the practical actions listed above but not sure how to do it? Contact me today at paula@thepaulagcompany.com or 267-382-0568 for Intuitive Intelligence Activation to explore how your current challenges can be transformed into opportunity by working together.

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